Would you give up if you had my body?

Bernadettetoo

I say that because of the stretchmarks. If you had awful stretchmarks on your tummy, would you even work at getting a better tummy? Other than fat, can the sagginess even really be repaired? Could I even tone it? I mean, when I lose weight it's going to get veery, veeery saggy.

Heres the pictures of how I used to be.




Heres my stomach now




Would you even care about your body anymore? I mean, can the sagginess even get fully better? Even if it gets way more saggy when I lose the 33 pounds I have left to lose.

I am 55 and have had them since I was 16. They will fade to white in time. Exercise helps. Mine have never gone away, but are not that noticeable. Most of us have them...or will. Battle scars!

dawson55510

Never give up!!!

Also when the marks are red they can heal once they are white they cant

ChristineS_51

Time (ie they will fade after a while), and Bio oil are two good things that I have seen suggested for stretch marks- not sure if anyone has suggested those to you. Well done on the weight loss!

sarahrbraun

I say that because of the stretchmarks. If you had awful stretchmarks on your tummy, would you even work at getting a better tummy? Other than fat, can the sagginess even really be repaired? Could I even tone it? I mean, when I lose weight it's going to get veery, veeery saggy.

Heres the pictures of how I used to be.




Heres my stomach now




Would you even care about your body anymore? I mean, can the sagginess even get fully better? Even if it gets way more saggy when I lose the 33 pounds I have left to lose.

I have a body that is much WORSE than your body, and I am NOT giving up.

this was 2.5 months AFTER I started, and I had already lost 5-7lbs. Can you imagine what I looked like when I started? Oh yeah, FYI...my "baby" was in Kindergarten in this pic.
dillons party by crochetmom2010, on Flickr


I have been going to the gym religiously 3-4x a week since February 2012. I'm not sure there are many other members who are THAT religious about it....

I have now lost 32 pounds, and started weightlifting, and now I look like this.


IMG00817-20121113-0848 by crochetmom2010, on Flickr

I'm not sure I will ever have the flat belly that I had 18 years and 3 kids ago, but I sure am going to try. Never know, I may end up having a BETTER body once you can see all my muscles.

kel665

Nope, I wouldn't give up. You don't look like you have much weight to lose and I don't know many women without stretch marks. I would rather be a nice healthy size with stretch marks than obese with stretch marks. No-one can see the stretch marks when you are dressed.

Beckyloo80

I have those stretch marks too, thank you children. Since I have been working out, my sagginess has improved and so have the look of the stretch marks. Do not give up!

Curvimami

I think you will be fine, and I wouldnt give up. I am also covered in stretch marks but my tummy isnt getting worse with exercise. Keep at, keep hydrated, exercise, moisturize and eat properly, and you will be just fine. No worries

TheFitHooker

No I would not give up I'd keep going... My body looked so much worse at the start

My before stomach photo


What it looks like now pretty much.


I am still working but there are things that you can do to lighten up the stretch marks and tone up the belly, I still have a ways to go but don't give up, I sure ain't!

MRITechheg

no way girl! you dont even look bad, you are beautiful and u can only improve if u keep your heart in it!!! I am here for you through your journey and I will help in any way i can. we can become fitness partner/rivals! it will be fun !!! I cant wait to see all you upcomming progress its gonna be a wonderful new year! keep up the good work
YOU CAN DO THIS!

jennaworksout

NO way!!!! never give up! i've seen major transformations on people with stretch marks, you can so do it!!!

marathon64

Stretch marks suck but it does not keep you from getting in shape getting good conditioning rocking a bikini etc. Forget about them and focus on your real goals-looking and feeling fantastic. Stretch marks are just a distraction. This is me. Stretch marks don't define me.

chelima118

Never Give up! Your health should come first! Looking good is just a plus.


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KatLifter

Nope!

http://the-flick.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Goddamn-Tiger.jpg

Rachlmale

Why would you give up? There are people on this site much bigger than you, probably with stretch marks covering the majority of their body and they strive to better themselves.

sahm23ladies

Not only do I have stretch marks but I gained so much weight so fast I have lots of loose skin from my 3 pregnancies. You'll want to tone your mid section regardless. A strong core makes for a stronger YOU! You can always use shapewear to help smooth out and lumps or sags. My belly is way worse & my husband doesn't care. It's more my issue.

karylee44

they will defiantly fade over time.. my kids are 11, 11, and 14.. two c-sections and believe me.. the twins did some SERIOUS damage! my stomach still isnt where i want it to be.. but im a work in progress..

StrongerMomto7

I have had 7 kids myself, and I had some terrible stretch marks. They do fade some over time. And it's amazing what changes can happen as you tone up. And honestly, I wouldn't give up. Healthy is beautiful!

scorpiotwinkles

Mine are MUCH worse than yours - BUT I am proud of my stretchmarks. They are battle scars. I will never fill them out again. You look fine hun and I am sure they will fade and reduce as time goes on. Mine were stretched for 30 years so I don't expect mine to reduce but I like them strangely BECAUSE I have lost the weight.

sunsnstatheart

Never Give up! Your health should come first! Looking good is just a plus.




Well said!

A good diet and exercise help you to improve your health, have fun, live longer, and help you keep up with your kids. Besides if you're seeking perfection, stop, as you're never going to find it. We all have flaws, physical, personality and emotional flaws and we all have to live with them. Learn to love yourself and move on.

ironanimal

Hah, no worse than mine when I started. It improves if you lose the fat at a sensible rate.

Helloitsdan

Lose the weight the right way and you wont have too much trouble.
Vitamin A and K also help.

EvgeniZyntx

I'd focus on the achievements of having great health.

Here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/805169-our-flaws-are-magnificent

Perfectdiamonds1

WHAT? GIVE UP? WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!!! Keep pushing and working at it. I've have a C-Section, Gallbadder Surgery(at a time when they were doing the real surgery-the long cut). I'm not giving up. I feel like a new person now. Give up? for what? Stop being weak. Work it out!!! Also, get a pair of Spanx and keep working at it. They are a life saver for me ROFL

Angie_1991

I say who cares about stretch marks....I have them on my boobs.....yuck....but I had my boobs reduced and now they are awesome...even with the stretch marks.....

3shirts

Sorry if this is repeating anyone (only skimmed the thread) but two points:

1) How you look is only a part of losing weight. The benefits to your health are far more significant
2) Try Bio Oil. I used it every day for 6 months on a scar on my hand and the improvement was very noticeable. I have started using it on a few minor stretch marks I am seeing from losing a bit of weight too. It's good stuff.

evilmonkee

1) How you look is only a part of losing weight. The benefits to your health are far more significant
^^^^^
THIS
I don't have kids, so I can't comment on stretchmarks from pregnancy, but I can vouch for the importance of having a strong core. Weight lifting, sensible amount of cardio, and compound exercises that also target your core (planks, deadlifts, Kbell swings) do wonders to improve your posture, they help improve your posture, and in the long run they reduce the probability of falling and breaking bones. Definitely do not give up on exercising!!!
Your skin will get better as you lose weight, and your stomach will shrink, but you will also become much healthier.

metacognition

Focus on the positive. They will fade in a year or two and you will still reap the rewards of being fit, healthy, and toned.

Stretch marks are nothing compared to heart disease, cancer risk, and feeling winded every day.

HopefulLeigh

There's always going to be something discouraging. If I quit for every thing that won't or might not improve with weight loss, I'd have never gotten out of the gates. My stomach may never be perfect and I might always have stretch marks on my lady bits [oh yeah, those *kitten* got everything], but losing the weight will help with my back pain, breathing trouble, risk of diabetes, and the rate at which my muscular disease will progress. At the end of the day, the guaranteed benefits of doing something about it far outweigh the promise of nothing at all changing if I don't try.

Maidofmer

why? I don't see anything wrong with you. I have always been big, but never got stretch marks till I got pregnant. I thought it was the end of the world. thought about being a smart *kitten* and getting hell tattooed on my stomach so the stretch marks could be flames. but someone told me to think of it as a tigress earning her stripes. I don't know if you got yours from having kids. my sister always had them too. if they bother you that much, try bio oil. I haven't tried it yet, but a friend at work was using it for hers and they faded pretty nicely.

bushidowoman

What you see when you look in the mirror is normal. You are still beautiful, although it may be a different sort of beauty from the fake photoshopped beauty that is shoved down our throats. You are not a two-dimensional airbrushed image...but a real live WOMAN, who has lived and loved and given until it hurts. And your body is worth caring for.
I understand how you feel right now. I have had six children myself, and in a few short weeks, I will once again be doing damage assessment and tending to my battle scars. But I've learned that it is possible to look good and feel good about myself again, and I will just keep reminding myself of that. Time will fade those stretch marks into barely noticeable "tigress stripes". Feeding myself well with whole, healthy foods and doing some cardio will help melt away the cushioning that is sustaining the sweet little one and myself during this growing time. Picking up some heavy weights and doing some core exercises (planks!) will make those muscles not only strong but defined. After baby #6, I found that I felt stronger and more energetic than ever...and along with that, I was quite happy with my smokin' new body. You can feel that way about yourself, too, if you are willing to put in the time and effort to take care of yourself.
Never give up on yourself!